F1’s Greatest Lap – Ayrton Senna at Donington 1993

“We are sure it is the greatest lap of Formula 1 history.” Remembering Ayrton Senna’s sensational opening lap of Donington at the European Grand Prix in April 1993.

The Williams cars were 1–2 in qualifying with Prost on pole ahead of Hill, Schumacher, Senna, Wendlinger and Andretti. At the start, it was damp and Schumacher blocked Senna and both lost time and Wendlinger took third. Having dropped to fifth, Senna quickly passed Schumacher at the third corner. He then went after Wendlinger, passing him through the Craner Curves with Schumacher and Andretti trying to follow through. Schumacher went through but Andretti hit Wendlinger and both were out. Senna went after Hill now and took second at McLean’s Corner. Now Prost was the target and the lead was taken at the penultimate corner – the Melbourne Hairpin. Going into the second lap, Senna led Prost, Hill, Barrichello (who had started 12th), Schumacher and Lehto.

At the end of the race, Senna was led onto a podium and was given a trophy that depicted videogame character and Sega’s mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog holding a trophy with the Sega logo underneath. A widely circulated image on the internet shows Senna holding the trophy. Contrary to popular belief, this is not the award Ayrton Senna got for winning the Grand Prix but a fake trophy for a photo op. Video footage shows that after having the photograph taken, He was given the actual award. A trophy that does not depict either Sonic the Hedgehog or the Sega logo. The current location of the famous Sega trophy is unknown. (Race report from Wiki)